NASA Wreckage On Display For The First Time

Looking at part of history has always been a past time for many Americans. We enjoy looking at object that have been part of history. Sometimes those things do not bring up particularly good memories. That is the case with a new exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In this exhibit, NASA is displaying actual wreckage from the Challenger and Columbia. This is the first time that the public will be able to see the wreckage. It has been hidden from the rest of the world for decades.

According to Fox News, the center created a whole new wing that houses the wreckage. Currently, two pieces of debris fill the space. One piece of debris comes from each shuttle. Visitors are also able to read personal stories from the fourteen astronauts that perished.

For years, NASA decided not to display wreckage of either shuttle to allow the families time to mourn. They were also doing independent testing on the wreckage for quite some time.

The intent is not to create a spectacle, but rather to highlight heroes. They want to show how the astronauts lived their lives, rather than show how they died. There are no pictures of the actual explosion in the exhibit, titled "Forever Remembered." Though for many of us, those images will never leave our memories.

The Challenger broke apart almost 30 years ago as it flew over Florida. Columbia caused debris to rain down over Texas 12 years ago. For most of us, the memory will forever stay in our minds.

There have been no announcements about when the exhibit would end. Most expect that it will last for quite a few years. The Kennedy Center expects quite a large increase in visitors thanks to the showing.